An East Prairie man is dead following an ATV wreck Thursday in Mississippi County.

According to the Highway Patrol, 48 year old Billy Hatton was driving an ATV on County Road 527, south of East Prairie, when he ran off the side the road and struck a tree. The vehicle overturned in the wreck and ejected him.

Hatton was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

BLYTHEVILLE MAN SENTENCED FOR HIS ROLE IN DRUG RING

(AP) - A Blytheville man accused of leading a drug trafficking organization in northeast Arkansas has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison.

According to a news release from U.S. Attorney Christopher Thyer, 29-year-old Kenneth Brown II was sentenced Thursday. Brown will also serve five years of supervised release and forfeit multiple guns and profits from selling drugs.

During an investigation that began in 2012, agents seized more than a kilogram of methamphetamine from 15 controlled purchases from members of the drug organization.

Thyer said authorities searched a "drug stash house used by Brown" in 2013 that contained multiple firearms, 26 pounds of marijuana and 228.5 grams of methamphetamine. The release also says a drug ledger was found in Brown's pocket during the search that showed "drug debts" owed to him.

THREE CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO THEFT OF IRRIGATION WIRE

Three people are facing charges out of Scott County in connection to the theft of irrigation wire.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter tells us that 52 year old Joseph M. Reddick of Emporia, Kansas, 44 year old Marvin L. Burton Jr. of Scott City, and 26 year old Marcus A. Bowers, of Jonesboro, Illinois have each been charged with felony stealing and property damage.

Walter said his office received a phone call Wednesday afternoon regarding suspicious activity on the riverfront in Commerce. When the deputy arrived, he observed Bowers, Reddick, and Burton burning the insulation off a large amount of wire.

The wire was later determined to be irrigation pivot wire stolen from a Benton area farm. Approximately 800 feet of wire valued at over $4,800 was stolen.

TWO PEOPLE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER GAS TANK EXPLODES IN KENNETT

A gas tank explosion in Kennett has injured two people.

According to KFVS, the two victims were attempting to remove the gas tank from a car with a grinder when the explosion occurred.

The victims suffered burns and were taken to an area hospital.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS FIRES BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ARSONIST

Authorities in Northeast Arkansas believe several recent fires are the work of an arsonist.

According to Imboden live, the Hoxie Fire Chief says that bales of Miscanthus Giganteus have been set on fire multiple times over the last week. The fires were located in the area of Highways 91 and 230.

Anyone with information on the fires should contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at 870-886-2525.

FIRE CAUSES EVACUATION AT BRIGGS AND STRATTON

Employees were evacuated from a Poplar Bluff business Thursday due to a fire.

The fire was reportedly located at Briggs and Stratton and was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported due to the fire.

BERNIE WOMAN WINS $20,000 WITH SCRATCH-OFF

A Bernie woman says a trip to the grocery store for hamburger buns has paid off big for her family.

56 year old Margaret White purchased a $2 Double Play scratch-off lottery ticket on a recent trip to Town and Country in Bernie. She says she was shocked to find out the ticket was a $20,000 winner.

White plans to use her winnings for some home improvements.

JACKSON MAN WINS ALMOST $400,000 LOTTERY JACKPOT

A daily draw game has given a Jackson man almost $400,000.

65 year old Benny Myers won a $398,000 jackpot in the Missouri Lottery’s Show Me Cash game. Myers says he was checking the numbers on his lunch break when he found out he won. He then went straight to St. Louis to claim his prize.

He says he plans to use the money to become debt-free.

CENTURY-OLD TIME CAPSULE FROM MISSOURI CAPITOL OPENED

(AP) - A century-old time capsule kept in the cornerstone of the Missouri Capitol has been opened.

Hundreds watched the livestream as state workers carefully cut the copper box open Thursday. Inside, they found a Bible, photos of the Capitol's groundbreaking and yellowed newspapers.

The items were sealed in the box in 1915 and opened in preparation of a ceremony marking the Capitol's 100th anniversary.

Nixon plans to dedicate a new time capsule during a July 3rd ceremony. He's soliciting ideas about what to put in the new box.

GOVERNOR NIXON DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

(AP) - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency as a tropical depression moves northward through the region, dumping heavy rain and causing flooding in some parts of the state.

The Missouri River crested at several spots today, including Hermann in eastern Missouri.

The Mississippi River is expected to reach major flood stage in Ste. Genevieve and Cape Girardeau next week.